Tucson, AZ Pest Control

Tucson, like most other cities in the Sonoran Desert, experiences year-round warm temperatures that can bring out the pests in droves. The city has two distinct rainy seasons, one in the winter and one in the summer. July and August generally see very hot temperatures broken only by the monsoon rains, which arrive in mid-summer and traditionally last into September. Because the temperature very rarely falls below freezing, pests breed during the balance of the year. Homeowners and business owners should pay particular attention to ticks, fleas, and termites. Even a few of these creatures can lead to heavy infestations. It is best to eliminate them before larger colonies can become established.

Ticks

Ticks are blood-sucking insects that can generally be found in open areas. They are commonly found on dogs that spend a considerable amount of time in the great outdoors. Brown dog ticks are especially frequent in Arizona and can turn up in yards, fields, and even rocky areas with a decent amount of underbrush. They are also common in riparian ecosystems where water is readily available.

Though only a few fractions of an inch in size, ticks can swell up considerably after feeding. Although it is possible to remove single ticks with tweezers, it is usually a better idea to have pest control professionals treat home areas where more than one tick has been found. Ticks, in fact, are hardy creatures that can survive for many weeks without directly feeding on a host animal.

Fleas

Fleas are much smaller than ticks but can still cause enormous problems for the household as a whole. They are nearly always brown or black and tend to congregate on the soft underbellies of dogs and cats. They live only part of their lifecycle on animals, and their eggs often slough off onto carpeted areas and furniture pieces. Large infestations can quickly grow out of control, and exterminators will generally apply carefully mixed chemicals to various areas of the house so that the adult fleas, larvae, and eggs are all killed at the same time. It is also generally recommended that dogs be washed thoroughly with a strong, medicated shampoo so that fleas on the belly, back, and legs are eliminated. Veterinarians can provide special preventative medications, usually in pill form, which will protect pets for the balance of the warm season.

Termites

Termites are insects that typically feed on wood and can thus pose problems for the infrastructure of buildings. Signs of infestation typically include the following:

mud tubes

wing piles

feces piles

hollowed-out wood pieces or distended furniture items

small holes in wood planks or boards

evidence of swarming behavior

If an infestation is suspected, exterminators will set special bait stations that should rid the building of termites. Heavier infestations may require more bait stations, especially if the colony is still active outside the house. Potential sources of termite food, which may include loose wood, should be removed to prevent future infestations.

If you are currently experiencing problems with any of these problematic pests, contact Bill's Home Service for more information and a free quote.